Condoleezza Rice receives West Point's Thayer Award

HEMA EASLEYTimes Herald-Record

Monday

Oct 6, 2014 at 10:25 PMOct 6, 2014 at 10:44 PM

WEST POINT - Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice evoked powerful memories of the 2001 terror attacks and reminded cadets at the U.S. Military Academy Monday that violent and brutal ideologies still threaten America and the world.

"Let me assure you that terrorists are not tired," said Rice. "And we cannot afford to be tired."

Rice was speaking before a rapt audience of 4,400 cadets and military officials who had gathered to honor her with the Thayer Award, given annually since 1958 by the U.S. Military Academy's Association of Graduates to persons who exemplify the West Point motto, "Duty, Honor, Country."

"The burdens of leadership are sometimes heavy. I know that Americans are sometimes tired," of years of war and the responsibility of keeping peace in the world, said Rice. "But, we know that there is no one else who can take up that mantle."

Rice spoke of America's belief in the power of freedom and democracy, and the benefits that had accrued to the world, from Europe to Korea to Japan, when the United States had fought to spread those values.

She received a standing ovation from the cadets.

Rice, who served as secretary of state under President George W. Bush from January 2005 to January 2009, is the second woman and first black woman to hold the job. She also served in Bush's administration as assistant to the president for national security affairs from January 2001 to January 2005.

She currently teaches political economy and political science at Stanford University.

Earlier in the day, Rice viewed military drills performed by West Point cadets on The Plain, the Point's drill ground, and observed the line of the corps of cadets who held a parade in her honor.